The Patch Library concluded its summer reading program with reading awards, participation prizes and an ice cream social on Aug. 7. With a theme of “Reading is So Delicious,” the program was designed to spark the literary appetites of young readers at 250 military installations across the globe.
After all, research has shown that students who read for fun outperform those who don’t, and that reading five books over the summer can prevent academic loss.
The Stuttgart summer reading program also included an avenue for adults to participate, allowing entire families to get involved in the fun of reading. Participation in the program matched — and exceeded — figures for last summer.
“It is incredible how much this program has grown, said Tracie Miller, the children’s librarian, as she described how the program’s popularity has swelled from 80 to more than 380 children over the last several years. This year, the summer reading program was also held at the Robinson Barracks library. The strength of the summer reading program can partly be credited to the additional location, plus a wide variety of creative activities. Miller said the activities revolved around food or cooking, such as building with marshmallows and dry spaghetti, making trail mix and making a “flipping pancake” toy. According to Miller, the most popular reads this year were “Magic Tree House” by Mary Pope Osborne, “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling, and Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson,” “Kane Chronicles” and “The Heroes of Olympus.” Younger readers enjoyed books such as “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and the “Fancy Nancy” series. The conclusion of summer vacation doesn’t mean that regular trips to the local library have to stop. Story time is offered at the Patch Library every Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m., and the library has planned several activities for the entire family.
Families can learn how to download to an eReader on Oct. 18, make trick-or-treat bags from duct tape on Oct. 28, and participate in Ductigami on Nov. 15.
